Rail treatment apparatus



Sept. 3, 1935.

R. E. FRICKEY ET AL RAIL TREATMENT APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 18, 1952 www lo BY Sept. 3, 1935.

Filed y 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNE YS.

p 1935- i R. E. FRICKEY El AL 2,013,461

RAIL TREATMENT APPARATUS Filed May 18, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 i l I I l l IN VEN TOR5 form A: flex/err A TTORNE YS.

p 1935. R. E. FRICKEY ET AL I 2,013,461

RAIL TREATMENT APPARATUS Filed May 18, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5 N myw m 9 m MZW F7 J ML K 1 I BY [0 5 H Mi Patented Sept. 3, 1935 RAIL TREATMENT APPARATUS Royal E. Frickey, San Francisco, and Arion S. Kalenborn, Redwood City, Calif., assignors to Welding Service, Inc., San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 18, 1932, Serial No. 612,066

17 Claims.

This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for the treatment of railroad rails, to effect hardening of the same. It has particular application to the treatment of rail joints,

to harden the upper surfaces of the adjacent rail ends.

The hardening of railroad rails, where the rails have been laid, necessarily involves certain practical problems, particularly since the harden- 1' ing must be carried out under field conditions. The apparatus employed must necessarily be portable, and it should be so economical in operation, as to enable treatment at a minimum of cost. Furthermore the apparatus and method If, employed should be of such a character that uniformly good results can be secured with relatively unskilled workmen, such as are available for field Work. In the past it has been proposed to harden rail ends by heating the same to a relatively high temperature of say 1500 deg. F.

by an oxy-acetylene torch, followed by rapid.

chilling with water. Following chilling, a reheating was necessary to secure a proper temper. Such methods have not met with universal approval, due among other reasons to lack of uniformity of the degree of hardness produced, and the skilled character of labor required.

We have'found that superior results can be secured in the heat treatment of rails, if hardening is eifected by the use of oil rather than water. The use of oil, in the method outlined herein, not

' only results in more uniform hardening for successive treatments, but also makes possible the omission of a separate and distinct reheating to efiect tempering. However the use of oil involves distinct problems. For example because oil is relatively expensive compared to water, the quantity employed for each treatment cannot be wasted.

- which. will make possible uniformity of successive.

treatments, and which can be utilized with good results by relatively unskilled workmen.

Further objects of] the invention will appear It is. an object of the present invention to from the following description in which the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The appended claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents consistent 5 with the state of the prior art.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view, illustrating apparatus incorporating the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, illustrating a modification in which certain functions are performed automatically.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, showing that part of our apparatus which is brought into position over a rail to be treated, to apply a liquid chilling medium.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the apparatus as illlustrated in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional detail, illustrating the lower portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, applied to a rail joint being treated.

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional detail taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional detail, illustrating a possible modification of theapparatus illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive.

Fig. 8 is a side view of the modification illustrated in Fig. 7.

Our method can be best understood after a description of the apparatus illustrated in the drawings. That form of apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 consists of a liquid reservoir I0, connected to outflow' pipe lines II, and an inflow pipe line I2. Reservoir I0 can be provided with external heat insulation. Pipe lines II serve to deliver a liquid chilling medium to a structure designated generally at I3, which is adapted to be positioned upon a rail I4 at a rail joint. Valves I5 serve to control flow of liquid thru pipes II. Suitable forms for structure I3 will be presently described in detail, although it may be explained at this point that it preferably includes two open-bottomed containers I6 adapted to receive liquid from pipes I I, and which serve to bringthaliquid into contact with limited areas of the up er surface of the rail.

In order to remove liquid introduced into receptacles I6, we have shown pipe lines I'I leading to the inflow sides of suitable liquid pumps I8. Suitable check valves I9 are connected to the inflow ends of pipes H. The outflow sides of pumps I 8 are connected to a common pipe line 2 I, which leads to a suitable liquid cooler 22, such as a radiator adapted to transfer heat to an air 55 stream. Ventilation of radiator 22 is indicated by an air fan 23, driven by motor 24. The outflow side of radiator 22 connects with pipe line l2,

leading back to reservoir l6. 5 c

As will be presently explained, it is desirable to maintain the temperature of oil in reservoir III at or about a constant temperature level, and this temperature level is made such as to be substantially higher than the highest temperature of oil which may flow into the reservoir thru pipe l2. For this purpose we have shown a pipe line 26,'connecting between pipe line 2| and reservoir l6. Flow of oil thru pipe line 26 is controlled by suitable means such as an electrical solenoid or motor operated valve21. Solenoid operated valve 21 is shown connected in series with an electrical actuating circuit 28, this circuit also including an electrical thermostat 29 which is in thermal contact with the liquid within reservoir I6. In the event the temperature of liquid in reservoir I6 falls below a desired value, the contacts of electrical thermostat 29 are closed, to effect opening of solenoid valve 21, thus permitting direct flow of hot liquid from pipe 2| to reservoir l6. Pipe line 2| is shown provided with a throttling valve 3|, which can be so ad justed that when solenoid valve 21 is open, liquid from pipe line 2| tends to flow directly toreservoir ID in preference to flowing to the radiator 22.

In order to secure a thorough intermixing of the different temperatured liquids introduced into reservoir Hi, we provide means such as indicated in Figure 1 which consists of an open-ended conduit 33 positioned intermediate the side walls of reservoir I6. Formed within conduit 33 there is a restricted throat 34, within which there is positioned a liquid impeller 36. Impeller 36 is shown mounted upon a rotatable shaft 31, adapted to be driven by sprocket 38. Positioned within that I end of reservoir l0 facing the outflow side of conduit 33, there is a semi-torroidal shaped wall 39.

Upon rotating shaft 31, liquid within reservoir l0 7 is caused to repeatedly circulate through conduit 33, in the direction indicated by the arrows, to secure thorough intermixing. Direct heating of liquid in reservoir l0 can be effected by an electrical heating element 42, mounted upon and surrounding the outer periphery of conduit 33. This electrical heating element is adapted to be connected to an external electrical circuit.

Motive means for driving pumps H! has been represented by an electrical motor 43, having its shaft connected to pumps l8 thru suitable gearing 44. Electrical motor 43 is preferably of the adjustable or variable speed type, to enable an operator to adjust or vary the speed with which pumps I8 are driven. Motor 43 can also serve as a source of power for driving the sprocket 38 car ried by shaft 31.

Operation of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1, can best be explained after a description of a suitable structure |3 forpositioning upon the rail to be treated. Such a structure has been illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive and consists of a pair of open-bottomed receptacles or boxes |6a, which may be made substantially duplicates. Each receptacle consists of side walls 46, and walls 41 and 48, and a top wall 49. The lower edges of the side and end walls are grooved as indicated at 5|, to retain a packing 52 of suitable material, such as asbestos fibre. The contour presented by the lower edge of each receptacle |6a is such that packing 52 of each receptacle seals about an area extending substantially entirely across the upper surface of the rail M, as shown in Fig. 6. The length of the area encompassed by packing 52 extends longitudinally of the rail, and where the end portions. of rail sections at a rail joint are being treated, the areas extend are loosely engaged by lugs 56 formed on the upper edges of receptacle l6. Guide channels 56 are carried by a common head 51, which in turn is connected to the lower end of a depending tube 58, by a special support journal 59.

presently described. The journal 59 illustrated in Figs.5 and 6 consists of a pin 6|, having its axis arranged generally longitudinally with respect to receptacles |6a, and having its ends slidably retained by parallel channels 60, which in turn are mounted upon head 5'1. 58 is journaled upon pin 6|, as by means of a ball bearing assembly 62. This type of journal means 59 permits guide channels 54 and thus receptacles |6a to be adjusted about a vertical axis symmetrical with respect to the tworeceptacles, and also to be rocked about a substantially horizontal axis laterally with respect tothe length of the rail.

In order to cause receptacles 6a to aline themselves automatically, as they are lowered into position upon the rail, each receptacle is preferably provided with side depending members 64 which.

are fixed to the side walls 46, and which are adaptshown in Fig. 6. Members 64 are preferably somewhat flexible, so that when in position as shown in Fig. 6, they are sprung outwardly a slight amount without causing permanent deformation.

During a chilling operation, receptacles |6a are preferably urged downwardly with considerable force upon the upper surface of the rail. In order to transmit such thrust between guide channels 54 and the receptacles, and at the same time permit limited movement of. each receptacle about a transverse horizontalaxis as accommodated by the loose engagement between lugs 56 and channels 54, we have shown the guide channels 54 provided with ,depending members 66. The lower ends of members 66 are adapted to abut lugs 61 extending outwardly from the side walls of the receptacles.

In order to afford an adjustment of the distance between the receptacles |6a in a direction Fig. 3. The free end of lever 12 is provided with Tube 58 forms a part of support means which willbe The lower endof tube a side wall of one of the receptacles, as shown in a pin, adapted to engage in any one of a series of apertures I3 formed in the side wall of the other receptacle.

To provide for an inflow of a liquid chilling medium into the receptacles Isa, we have shown the upper wall 49 of each receptacle provided with a suitable elbow 16. which in turn is connected to a flexible hose section Ila. Flexible hose section Ha corresponds to the pipe lines H of Fig. 1. To provide for the removal of liquid from each receptacle, the upper wall 49 of each receptacle is provided with-an elbow 11, connected to a flexible hose section Ila. Hose sections Ila correspond to pipe lines I! of Fig. 1. Communicating with the inner ends of elbows 11, are check valves 18 which have their inflow openings positioned in close proximity to the upper surface of the rail, when the receptacles are in normal operating position. Each receptacle is also preferably provided with a vent pipe 83, communicating thru its upperwall 49, and extending upwardly -'to the upper level of cooler 22.

slidably fitted within tube 58 there is a plunger 84, which is normally urged toward retracted position by a compression spring 89. Fixed upon the upper end of. tube 58, above bearing 83, there is a thrust collar 81. Below thrust collar 81, there is a pin 88, extending through and fixed to the upper end of plunger 84. Pin 83 is accommodated by slots 89 formed in the upper end of tube 58,

so that limited movement is afiorded between the plunger and tube 58. The upper end of plunger 89 is connected to a pair of toggle l nks 9| and 92. The upper end of link 92 is connected to channel 82 by the pivot pin 93. Links 9| and 92 are connected by. pivot pin 94, and the lower end of link 9| is connected to the upper end of plunger 84, by pivot pin 96. Movement of links 9| and 92 past dead center position, in one direction, is limited by a stop 91, mounted upon channel 82. A tension spring 98 has its lower end connect-ed to the upper end of plunger 84 and has its upper end an-- chored to channel 82. An operating lever 99 provided with a handle lili, is secured to link 9! in-such a manner as to rotate together with the same.

Upon movement of lever 99 upwardly in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, it is evident that plunger 84 will first be raised a limited amount as permitted byslot 89, and then both plunger 84 together with tube 58 will be raised together thru guide bearing 83. After tube 58 and plunger 84 have been elevated a certain amount, they can be locked in such position, by means of a pin I93 being inserted in apertures I04 and 1'95, which at that time arealined and are abov guide bearing 83, to support the dependent a sembly in nonoperative position. ,Apertures I04 and I95 are formed respectively in tube 58 and plunger 84. "Conversely upon rotating lever 99 in a clockwise direct on as viewed in Fig. 3, receptacles IBa are first lowered to 'a position in contact with the upper surface of the rail, while they are being guided by members 64*. By further movement of lever 99 in' a clockwise direction,

spring 86 is placed under compression to urge the receptacles downwardly with considerable force, and toggle links 9| and 92 cause lever 99 to be locked in its final position. Considerable downward force upon receptacles I Ba is desirable in order to form an efiective seal with the upper surfaces of the rail. General positioning of the receptacles, priorto lowering the same to final position, can be facilitated by a handle I01, which is shown mounted upon the head 5'! (Fig. 6).

Now assuming that the apparatus of Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive is utilized for the structure l3 of Fig. l, the operation and method to effect hardening of'the end portions of rail sections at a rail joint, is as follows:-The end portions of the rail sections at the joint to be treated, are first heated to a suitable elevated temperature, of say 1500 deg. F. In this operation it is preferable to apply heat to the upper surfaces of the rail ends, so that a layer of metal adjacent these surfaces are heated to the required elevated temperature, without heating the entire depth of the rail to the same degree. Good results for example have been secured by rapidly playing a carbon are over the upper surface of the rai. ball, until an upper layer of the rail ball has been heated to a sufficient degree. The amount of heating will depend upon the current density of the are employed, the length of the arc. and upon the length of the heating operation. These factors can be controlled to secure, the desired degree of heating and to insure uniformity of results in successive treatments. Immediately after the heating operation, receptacles lBa are positioned directly above the joint, with the center line of the joint alined with respect to. the line of centers between receptacles lfia. The receptacles l6a are now lowered by turning lever 99 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, to bring the receptacles to restupon the heated ends of the rail sections. Further movement of lever 99 to its' limiting position in a clockwise direction, sets toggle links 9| and 92 and causes spring 86 to force the receptacle IEa downwardly upon the rai The pressure thus applied to packing 52 affords a fairly liquid tight seal so that liquid to be subsequently introduced into the receptacles will be confined. Before lowering the receptacles to final position,

the operator should so set lever 12 that the dis-v tance between the receptacles is at a minimum value consistent with the gap between the rail ends. In other words the receptacles should be as close together as possible, without interfering with sealing contact between packings 52 and the upper end portions of the rail sections.

Assuming a final positioning of receptacles l6a, the operator now opens valves l5 and permits a liquid chilling medium to flow from reservoir l0 into both receptacles. It may be noted at this point that the liquid chiling medium is preferably oil. As the streams of oil fiow into the receptacles lfia, pools of oil immediately form upon areas A to efiect rapid chillingof the same. Following introduction of oil into the receptacles, and after pools of oil have been formed upon areas A, operation of pumps i8 is commenced, to cause removal of hot oil thru check valves 18 and pipe line 2|. Preferably the rate of removal is somewhat less than the rate of introduction, so that as long as oil is being introduced from reservoir Ii], pools of oil remain upon areas A. In the event the receptacles lSa become filled with oil, the oil will seek a hydro,- static level in vent pipes 80. After a predetermined length of time, dependent upon the amount of heat which it is desired to transfer to-the oil during the chilling operation, valves I5 are closed to interrupt further introduction of oil, but pumps I8 are continued in operation until all of the remaining oil has been removed from the receptacles. While the pumps I8 are in operation the oil removed from the receptacles, which is hotter than the oil fiowing'from reservoir III, is circulated thru cooler 22, and the cooled oilfrom thisradiator is reintroduced into reservoir I!) for reuse. Whenever during a series of successive treatments, the average temperature of the oil in reservoir I0 falls below a given value, which is preferably selected to be substantially higher than the temperature of cooled air being introduced by way of pipe line I2, eectro-thermostat 29 causes the solenoid valve 21 to be opened, to permit direct introduction of hot oil from pipe line 2I to reservoir I0, until the average temperature of oil in this reservoir attains a predetermined maximum value, after which valve 29 is closed. By this automatic means the temperature of oil in reservoir lll can be maintained adjacent a given value of say 140 deg. F.

If the apparatus has not been in operation for" a relatively long period, the temperature of oil in reservoir I I! may drop down below the value desired. In this event, before a treatment is commenced, the oil in reservoir I 0 can be heated up to 'a' desired temperature, by applying current to the heating element 42;-

During the chilling operation a certain amount of theoil will be vaporized, particularly during the initial contact ofthe oil with the hot rail surface, such vapor can discharge from the receptacles thru the vent pipes 80.

The chilling produced by our method is dependent upon the rate with which heat is abstracted by the oil, and upon the time periodof the chilling operation. In order to secure uniformity of the hardening efiect in successive operations, we prefer, particularly where the rail is made of special alloys such as high manganese rail steel, to so control the heating operation as to secure uniformity of heating in successive operations, and to so control the chilling as to secure a desired predetermined degree of hardness. With the apparatus of Fig.

- 1, the rate of removal of heat by the -oil can be regulated by adjusting the speed of motor 43;

and be maintaining the temperature of oil "in reservoir III at a fairly constant level. Likewise the length of the period of treatment can be controlled by the opening and closing of valves I5.

Following the trea ment of a particular Joint, receptacles IIia-can .lifted free of the rail by rotating lever 99 in a counterclockwise direc- "tion, and the apparatus moved to another Joint,

which in the meantime has been ,heated'for a chilling operation. At the end of a chilling operation a layer of metal immediately adjacent areas A- has been c ed to a mean temperature below the temperature of the adjacent heated'portions of the-rail. Therefore a flow of heat immediately occurs' back into the chilled area, to cause a tempering or drawing eflect.. It has been found that/with our method, which involves controlled chilling bythe use of oil, and which localizes the chilling effect to the area to be hardened, no reheating oi' the rail ends to efl'ect tempering is required' Obviously the absence of such a reheating treatment is a material saving, not only in the amount of heat required, but also in time and labor involved.

A modification of the apparatus of Fig. 1 is illustrated in Fig. 2, in which certain functions are performed automatically after the apparatus is initiated into operation. In this case we employ an electrical timing motor III, the speed of which can be adjusted, but which when once adjusted will operate at a substantially constant speed irrespective of variations in applied potential. Associated with motor III, we provide electrical timing means, as representative of which we have shown a plurality of cams H2, H3, and H4, connected to a common shaft, and having a drive connection with motor III thrugearing II 6. Pivoted levers H1, H8, and H9, are associated with cams I I2, I I3, and I I4 respectively, and these levers carry mercury contactors I22. I23 and I24. Contactor I22 is connected in series with the current supply circuit I26 for motor 43. Valves I5a, corresponding to valves I5 of Fig. 1, are solenoid operated, and the electrical energizing circuit I21 for the same is controlled by contactor I23. Contactor I24 is connected in series with the energizing circuit I28 for timing motor III. It is therefore evident that-opening and closing of contactor. I22 control starting and stopping of motor 43 and thus starting and stoppingof pumps I8; opening and closing of contactor I23 controls opening and closing of the solenoid operated valves I 5a; and opening and closing of, contactor I24 controls the operation of timing motor III. Manual switches I3I and I32, are shown connected in shunt with contactors I23 and I24. 1

The conformation of cams II2 to H4 inclusive is such that at the end of each complete revolution of the cams, leverl I9 is caused to swing in a direction to efiect opening of contactor I24, and thus cause deenergization of timing motor III. To start the timing motor in operation it I is necessary to temporarily close the switch I32. Likewise thecontour of cams I I2 and II 3 is such as to cause levers II! and H8 to swing, to efl'ect opening and closing of contactors I22 and I23. At the beginning of a cycle of operation, contactors I22, I23, and I24 are open, and circuits I28, I21 and I28 are deenergized. Acycle of operations is started by temporarily closing switches 'I3I and I32, thus energizing and'opening valves valves I5a, contactor I22 is opened to arrest operation of pumps I8. The cycle of movement is then completed by opening of contactor I 24, to deenergize timing motor I I I. Obviously the timing of! the various functions and the timing of the completecycle ofmovement, can be adjusted by varying {the speed of timing motor III. Likewise if desired the contour of cams I I2 to H4 inclusive-"can be changed.

In Figs. 7 and 8 there isshown a; liquid receiving receptacle so constructed that it can be readily modified to fit rails of varying sizes. Thus in this case the lower portion of each 'liquid re ceiving receptacle I6b is formed of a separate and replaceable shoe I36. A packing I31 made of suitable material such as asbestos fibre, is interposed between the upper edge of shoe I36, and the lower edge of the main body of receptacle I61). The opposed surfaces with which packing I3'I engages, can be grooved to facilitate making a proper seal. The lower edge of shoe I36 is likewise grooved, and is provided with a suitable packing I38 adapted to seal upon the uppper surface of the rail. Shce I36 is attached to the main body of receptacle I 6b, by suitable means, such as resilient clips I39. To retain the packings I3! and I38 in proper position, the inner and outer faces of shoe I36 are shown provided with grooves proper size consistent with the size of the rail to be treated.

It is evident that further modifications may be employed other than those described, within the spirit of the invention. For example in place of using two receptacles Ifia, a single receptacle can be employed, provided suitable provision is made for preventing escape of oil thru the gaps between the ends of the rail sections. However we prefer to employ two receptacles, in order to facilitate proper sealing with the rail under varyingconditions. Likewise while recirculation of oil is desirable, it is possible to merely employ the receptacles I6a, or some simplified substitute structure which will confine the oil to a sufiicient degree, without recirculating means. In such event the oil can be poured into the structure manually to form an oil pool upon the heated rail surface, and then discarded after the chilling operation, or removed to a point of storage for reuse.

We claim:

1. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rail ends at a rail joint, a structure adapted to be positioned upon the end portions of adjacent rail sections at said joint, said structure comprising two open-bottomed receptacles, and means forming an articulate connection between said receptacles.

2. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rail ends at a rail joint, a structure adapted to be positioned upon the end portions of adjacent rail sections at said joint, said structure comprising two open-bottomed receptacles, means serving to seal the lower portions of said receptacles with respect to the upper surfaces of the rail sections, and means forming an articulate connection between said receptacles.

3. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rail ends at a rail joint, a structure adapted to be positioned upon the end portions of adjacent rail sections at said joint, said structure comprising two open-bottomed receptacles, means serving to seal the lower portions of said receptacles with respect to the upper surfaces of the rail sections, and means forming an adjustable connection between said receptacles.

4. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rail ends at a rail joint, a structure adapted to be positioned upon the end portions of adjacent rail sections at said joint, said structure comprising two open-bottomed receptacles, 'means serving to seal the lower edges of said receptacles with respect to the upper surfaces of the rail sections, and means serving to connect said receptacles, said last named means permitting independent alinement of each receptacle in a direction lateral with respect to the rail.

5. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rails, means forming an open-bottomed receptacle, and means serving to seal the lower edges of said receptacle with respect to the upper surface of the rail, said first means having a passage serving to permit outflow of a chilling liquid introduced into the same.

6. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rails, means forming an open-bottomed receptacle, means for sealing the lower portion of the receptacle with respect to the rail, whereby the upper surface of the rail is exposed to a chilling liquid introduced into the receptacle, and means for continually removing liquid from the receptacle for reuse.

'7. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rails, means forming an open-bottomed liquid receiving receptacle adapted to be positioned upon the rail, means for sealing the lower portion of said receptacle with respect to the rail, whereby the upper surface of the rail is exposed to a chilling liquid introduced into the receptacle, means for introducing a chilling liquid into said receptacle, and means for removing said 1.quid from the receptacle and for returning the same to the point of introduction.

8. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rails, means forming an open-bottomed receptacle adapted to be positioned upon the rail, means serving to seal the lower portion of said receptacle with respect to the rail, whereby a limited area of the upper surface of the rail is exposed to a chilling liquid introduced into the receptacle, means serving to introduce a stream of chilling liquid into the receptacle, means serving to remove chilling liquid introduced into the receptacle and for returning the same to said point of introduction, and means serving to cool said chilling liquid before reintroduction into said receptacle.

9. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rails, a reservoir adapted to contain a chilling liquid, a pipeconnected to said reservoir serving to convey liquid from the same into contact with a heated surface of the rail, means for receiving liquid thus contacted with the rail, pump means for returning the liquid from said receiving means back to said reservoir, valve means for controlling flow of liquid thru said pipe, and means serving to effect opening of said valve means at a predetermined time interval prior to actuation of said pump.

10. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rails, a reservoir adapted to contain a chilling liquid, a pipe serving to convey liquid from said reservoir and for returning the liquid from said reservoir into contact with a heated surface of the rail, means for receiving liquid from said receiving means back to said reservoir, a valve serving to control flow of liquid thru said pipe, and means serving to effect actuation of said pump after a predetermined time interval following opening of said valve, and to effect closing of said valve prior to rendering said pump inoperative.

11. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rail sections at a rail joint, a pair of openbottomed receptacles, means serving to seal the lower edges of said receptacles with respect to the upper surfaces of the rail sections, means forming an articulate connection between said receptacles, and means carried by said receptacles, and adapted to engage the sides of the rail ball, to effect proper alining of the receptacles with respect to the rail.

12. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rail ends at a rail joint, open-bottomed liquidreceiving means adapted to be positioned upon the end portions of adjacent rail sections at a rail joint, and means serving to seal said firstnamed means with respect to the upper surface of the rail and also with respect to the gap between the rail ends, whereby liquid introduced into said first-named means is contacted with the upper surfaces of both said rail ends.

13. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rail ends at a rail joint, liquid-receiving means adapted to be positioned upon the rail at a rail joint, and means serving to seal saidfirst-named means with respect to the rail and with respect to the gap between the rail ends, said seal being about a limited area of the rails surface, and said first-named means being formed to permit liquid introduced into the same to contact with said limited area of the rails surface and also being ported to permit outflow of liquid introduced into the same.

14. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rails, means forming an open-bottomed liquidreceiving receptacle, means serving to seal the lower edges of said receptacle with respect to the upper surface of the rail, whereby liquid introduced into said receptacle is contacted with a limited area of the rails surface, and means car- .ried by said first-named means to position the receptacle with respect to the rail.

15. In apparatus for the hardening of heated rails, a reservoir adapted to contain a chilling liquid, valve controlled means serving to convey liquid from the reservoir into contact with the surface of a heated rail, means for receiving liquid thus contacted with the rail, pump means for returning liquid from said receiving means back to said reservoir, and timing means for automatically controlling closing of said valve controlled means and operation of said pump means.

16. In apparatus fcr'the hardening of heated rails, a reservoir adapted to contain a, chilling liquid, valve controlled means serving to convey liquid from the reservoir into contact with the surface ofv a heated rail, means for'receiving liquid thus contacted with the rail, pump means for returning liquid from said receiving means ing a chilling liquid into the same, and means for sealing the lower edges of said receptacle with respect to the rail head whereby liquid introduced into the receptacle is contacted with a limited upper portion of the rails surface.

ROYAL E. FRICKEY. ARION S. KALENBORN. 

